The Wilmingtonian., 1887-03-26
SATURDAY, MARCH 90, 1857.
Cleveland and the knights.

The report from Washington, Tuesday |
last, to the effect that the suit Of The North
ern Pacific Railroad Company against Gull
ford Miller has been decided by Attorney
General Garland in favor of the Northern
Pacific Railroad has created decid.d com
motion among the Knights of Labor
The story, which is as follows, has pecu-
liar significance, as it places President Ceve-
Il direct opposition to the organization OF
he Knights of Labor.
1t appears that in December. 1884, Gull
ford Miller, poor farmer and homestead
settler, took up under the homestead law a
piece of public land lying fifty miles out.
side the limits of the Northern Pacific grant
The domain of that corporation extended
only forty miles on each side of the line OF
the road, and Miller's idea in settling fifty
miles away probably was to get out of the
reach of the company.
He made his homestead entry and pro
ceded to build home for himself, and
other settlers gathered around him thus
making his land the more valuable, when
the Northern Pacific Railroad Company
own, as 'ndemnity land" When Con-
gress made land grants TO railroad corpora
tions it authorized the corporations to take
up enough lands outside the limits of the
grants to compensate fer the loss of such
lands as had already been taken up by pre-
vious settlers, if such there might me. The
Northern Pacific Railroad Company, how
ever, it is declared, has already selected and
claimed 1000, 900 acres as"lndemnity land, y
30 that the company has received much
more than it is entitled to without obtaining
Guilford Mtller's little farm. Nevertheless,
Attorney General Garland has decided that
Miller's eutry was improperly allowed that
the land belongs to the railroad and not
to the United States.
These are the facts, and as they stand,
look badly for Cleveland. It puelile to as
sert that Encouragement Garland is respon.
slble for the heartless story. There eau be
no doubt that what has been done was done
with MIR. Ceyeland's approval. Therefore
he is responsible for it,
The Kntgts of Llbor seem already thci.
oroughly aroused in tho matter Agains,
the decision. the farmers, workingmen, aud
Kuights of Larbor all over the country viii
arise in protest. 1t is nothing in explana.
tion of the Presidents harsh recklessnrss
or will it in any way condone for the ac
should he promise redress or protection &
the thousands of industrious families who's,
homesteads are imperilled by this cruel de
esion.
Mr.. Cleveland has unnecessarily and gra
tuitOusly injured the people. There is nc
moral right in what has been perpptrated.
The executive board of the knights il
Washington has spoken in ringing tone.
upon the subjcct. One Of their number
said regard to the matter
''lf President Cleveland refuses 10 dt
justice in this matter the whole organic
ton of the Knights Of Labor will remembc
it and use it to his sorrow at the prope
time. What his action will be will furnisr
us with a great political lever in the mex
campaign for the presidency for the orde
recognizes the fact that taking the lapt
from the home-steader is a criminal violation
Of the laws OF the United States.
ne "oIklus peup'e Ieel that When the
have to deal with power representing $3.50,
C00,000, as does the Northern Pacific Rail
road Company, they may expect plenty q
law but no justice. That company has ie
ceived from the United STAGES Government
more than any other railroad corporation
6OO00,00O acres of land of which the pee
pie have been defrauded-aud, like the oc
topus, it has stretched out one of its man
arms and taken this poor mans homestea
from him. None can tell whose turn WI,
come next, and If decisions like the preseu
one are allowed TO stand no settler can thin
himself secure Of his property.
-sH.